# AD 56-20-01: Tailwheel Axle

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Textron E18S
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Registered aircraft: 51 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/D9485D5811F1132086256A1C0072D8E1.0001
- DRS record last changed: January 21, 2026
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/56-20-01

## The airworthiness directive

56-20-01 BEECH: Applies to All Model E18S Aircraft.

Compliance required as soon as possible but not later than November 15, 1956.

The nuts on the tailwheel truss axle should be checked to determine that they rotate when the gear is retracted with the airplane on jacks. If not, remove the axle and check for distortion and replacement of axle if necessary.

The side play between the tailwheel truss and the fuselage axle fittings should be checked by loosening one of the axle nuts. If total side play exceeds 0.030 the axle should be removed and a maximum of two washers between the truss and fitting on each side should be installed to take up the side play. The side play should not be taken up by tightening the axle nuts. As the axle is to rotate in the fuselage fittings the nuts should be finger tight plus sufficient turning to allow insertion of the cotter keys.

(Beech Service Bulletin No. 22, issued August 8, 1956, covers this same subject.)

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A-765](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A-765): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 1 of 17 models: E18S

## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs)

Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment.

- Aircraft: 51 (51 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Beech 51

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Beech E18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e18s): 51 aircraft (airframe model)

All 2 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/56-20-01/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/56-20-01/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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